LF: Epson HX-20 service info

[Tony Duell]

> 
> Hi Tony,
> 
> >> There's a little motor/gearbox to move the head, and I think a position 
> >> detelction swtich. I will check the manual for you. The technical manual 
> >> I have gives schematics for the cassette option, exploded views, 
> >> dismantling instructions, etc.
> >
> >HEre's a little information on how this works.
> >
> > ... lots of useful info ...
> 
> Thanks! - that was very helpful.
> When you said "quite a fiddle" you weren't kidding ... but on the + side,
> it gets easier after about the third time...

Indeed. It's been about 10 years since I took mine apart, and I still 
remember trying to get the darn thing out of the case without damaging it.

> 
> Problem turned out to be mechanical, a combination of dirt/aging lubricants
> in the mechanics which slide the head/capstan in and out, and dirty contacts

Right. I am not altogether suprised.

> in the position detector leaf switch. After cleaning and lubricating the
> mechanical parts, and cleaning and adjusting the switch (which is quite
> finicy - hence the "several times" - it's more fun to take apart with a tape
> stuck in it) ... the drive is working fine now, and the HX-20 is saving and

Can't you energise the HP motor from an external supply with the drive 
still in the top part of the case and get it to retract the head?

> loading programs like it was new!

Excellent!

-tony